The 2010 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Thread

[Tess]

This year's Festival begins on October 1st.

According to the official Disney website it runs October 1 through November 14, 2010.

We saw the same information on Disney's website, but were also told that it was scheduled to begin the 24th of September (last Friday in September as it began last year). My husband phoned Disney and it was indicated that no "firm" date would be known until March. . .more Disney confusion.

It honestly doesn't surprise me that Disney would move the F&W Festival start date to the higher priced "regular" season. We were at F&W last year on the opening week and it was so crowded by the 2nd weekend (the first weekend of October) that we were thankful we were leaving. Then there is the higher cost of airfare in October.

I wish Disney would just pick a start/end weekend, e.g. last Friday in September to the 2nd weekend in November (or whatever arbitrary dates) and stick with it from year to year to make planning a bit simpler.

 

[TDC Nala]

I wish Disney would just pick a start/end weekend, e.g. last Friday in September to the 2nd weekend in November (or whatever arbitrary dates) and stick with it from year to year to make planning a bit simpler.

That's exactly what they are doing now. The festival always begins on a Friday and ends on a Sunday. I remember when it was first extended to the length it is now, and it started in October. After awhile they began starting it the last Friday in September, because that was less than a week from October 1. This year, October 1 is a Friday. I don't think it has anything to do with whether any of the dates fall in value season or during free dining. The only thing you can use at the festival with free dining is the snack credits anyway - and last year, there was free dining for the entire festival. Those who booked the 2010 free dining bounceback checking in September 30 (which I believe was the last possible check-in date, not the 29th) can get up to two weeks of free dining during the festival. So I don't think that one holds much water.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Oh well....I guess I have to move my dates back to the original 10/1-10/6 dates. We originally had this booked and then decided to go a week earlier to save on the hotel, so I changed it to 9/26-10/1 (I assumed that F&W was starting the last week of Sept like it did last year). We have never been to F&W Festival so it is a must that I change it back. I guess I should of waited to change when I knew the exact dates....got to learn to quit assuming all the time

 

[Tess]

That's exactly what they are doing now. The festival always begins on a Friday and ends on a Sunday. I remember when it was first extended to the length it is now, and it started in October. After awhile they began starting it the last Friday in September, because that was less than a week from October 1. This year, October 1 is a Friday. I don't think it has anything to do with whether any of the dates fall in value season or during free dining. The only thing you can use at the festival with free dining is the snack credits anyway - and last year, there was free dining for the entire festival. Those who booked the 2010 free dining bounceback checking in September 30 (which I believe was the last possible check-in date, not the 29th) can get up to two weeks of free dining during the festival. So I don't think that one holds much water.

Yes, that is the point I was making--just be consistent on the start/end time. As you and I both pointed out, last year the event started the last Friday in September, this year it is the first Friday in October. In years past, the F&W wasn't as lengthy as it is now so the start date was later yet in October. Pick a start weekend and stick to it.

F&W could have just as readily started last year on the first Friday of October (10/2), but it was moved to the last weekend of September. If I had booked bounceback for the identical week this year (which I didn't because it was free dining and we don't avail ourselves of the dining stuff--we prefer the AP or room % discount), my dates would be incorrect for F&W. That is my frustration--pick a weekend start/end date and leave the dates alone for simplicity in planning. Then again, if you (Disney) put the dates up on your website--be sure those are the actual dates. As I said, when we called this weekend, we were told that the October 1 start date may not be accurate and a "firm" date wouldn't be out until March. That really makes planning early problematic.

We would definitely prefer the last week of September, but if F&W doesn't begin until 10/1, we will need to move our dates to the first week in October. Then there is the whole pin code blackout dates for 10/8-10/10 that complicates pricing, but that is an issue for another board.

 

[wezee]

DH and I are like the OP, and need to sched. our vacations from weekend to weekend, due to our work. When we booked the bounce back for 9-25-10 to 10-2-10, the CM told us the F&WF was scheduled to start on 9-24-10. We were thrilled. Now, we see thay are moving the dates around. Unless we can get a pin code or they extend the free dining promo again this year ( which I doubt), we will only have a few days at the very beginning of the F&WF.

 

[aubriee]

DH and I are like the OP, and need to sched. our vacations from weekend to weekend, due to our work. When we booked the bounce back for 9-25-10 to 10-2-10, the CM told us the F&WF was scheduled to start on 9-24-10. We were thrilled. Now, we see thay are moving the dates around. Unless we can get a pin code or they extend the free dining promo again this year ( which I doubt), we will only have a few days at the very beginning of the F&WF.

Our vacations also must run Sat-Sun. When I was there this past Sept/Oct I booked the bounceback for Sept 25th-Oct 3rd, but I was told that Food & Wine Festival wouldn't start until Oct 1st in 2010. I mentioned that I really like how it fell for the entire last week of Sept in 2009 and really wanted it for the entire week in 2010. She told me I couldn't unless I was willing to start my vacation in the middle of the week as the last day to check in for free dining was going to be in the middle of the week, unlike on a Sat like it normally is. I went ahead and booked it, even though it means we'd only catch 1 1/2 days of the F&W Fesival. However, I went back to WDW in Dec and booked three more bounceback trips for 2010 getting 35% off moderate resorts. I went ahead and booked a trip for Oct 23rd-Oct 31st in order to have the Food & Wine Festival the entire trip. The free dining would be cheaper for us than the 35% off, but my husband really wants F&W for the whole trip. Right now I still have both, but will probably be canceling the Free Dining ressie. It'll be the first time we've missed free dining since the first year they offered it.

 

[choirchic]

I was very excited to find that our next trip to the World will fall smack in the middle of the Food and Wine Festival!
For those of you who've been to this...
I'd love to hear what you think of the festival, what are some of your favorites places to eat, and why you love this Festival so much...?

If it helps to know something about us, DH and I are 30somethings and we will be there with with DH's parents who are both 60somethings.
Thanks in advance!

 

[carps09]

We had a great time sampling several foods at the booths in World Showcase while on our honeymoon this past October. The cast members as the booths were always willing to talk about the food and their countries and seemed to enjoy it. We were on the Deluxe DDP and had lots of snack credits to use at the food booths. If we hadn't been on the Dining Plan, I don't know if we would have tried as much as we did; it seemed like most items were around $4 and those really start to add up when you stop at several of the booths.

 

[PrinceCharmingsMom]

We are Florida Residents and passholders and love love love the Food and Wine Festival. First of all take your appetite. You eat your way all the way around the countries food is anywhere from about $3.25 to $7 and about $4-$10 for alcohol. Really fun to sample. We make a plan of what we are doing each day so we can sample from all the booths we want you can't possibly do them all in one day. They also have cooking seminars and demonstrations in the main building. You can also have a chance to meet some of your favorite chefs and get autographs on their books for free. Year before last we met Jamie Deen Paula's son and this year Buddy Valastro was there from Cake Boss as well as Patty LaBelle, but we missed them as they weren't there on the days we were.

I suggest watching the DISboards closely, they will be the first to post when the full book is up and you can look through and see if you want to do any extras as well as there is always someone on here that posts scoring cards for each booth with all food items from that booth listed. That is how we plan our food days, We print them out on notecards and tie them together with a ring binder. Then we highlight which ones we want to try in order so we aren't walking back and forth.

My favorites this year hands down were the Spicy Sausage and Polenta from Canada and the Steak and Sweet Potato from Africa I think...not for sure I don't have my book out. But we also love the Seafood Gumbo from New Orleans. It is so fun to do especially if you have a adventureous group that wants to each get different things and share them. Mind you these are not huge meals most are about 3-4 bites some are larger than others. Hope you have a blast planning and eating!

 

[Pixie Princess]

Food & Wine Festival if FAB! We went for the last two years. I love the salmon in Canada and the crawfish etouffee. The greek souvlaki was yummy, and the ginger ice cream from china was very good as well. There has been a red snapper dish that I have managed to not get two years in a row that sounds so good. There is always more that I wish I could try. Somehow I always managed to be on the DDP, and there just isn't much room after that. You think I would have learned my lesson after 2008, but I couldn't pass up the free dining last year!

I've done one of the $8 wine classes, and it was really interesting. I wasn't wine-smart enough to be in it, but I learned some really interesting things about the vineyard the particular wine we were tasting came from. The wine was organic and vineyard sent a very good representative to discuss the process.

You'll have a blast!

 

[Hopefully]

We love the F & W fest and have been many times. It will be a blast for an all adult group. We love to "Nosh Around the World" as others have mentioned. Most food samples would be considered "Tapa's Sized" and it is a great way to sample many different things. We are usually on the DDP and we plan one day for just eating around the world at the festival. We save that Dining Credit and use 2 credits one night for a Signature meal. It works out great for us.
There are many extra priced events as well each year. There is the Saturday night Party for the Senses which includes food, wine, and entertainment. Many love it. There is an event called Sweet Sundays.
There are also many demonstrations, and other special events planned. You will find many celebrity chefs participating.
Good Luck in your planning

 

[Tikitoi]

We've been doing the F&W Fest for the past 4-5 years and have always enjoyed it thoroughly. We also be sure not to schedule a TS for this day, as you certainly can eat your way around the world.

 

[JDUCKY]

We've been doing the F&W Fest for the past 4-5 years and have always enjoyed it thoroughly. We also be sure not to schedule a TS for this day, as you certainly can eat your way around the world.

Oh, agreed!

And prepare for Epcot's WS to be a sea of people on weekends.

 

[Art 1]

It makes Epcot very crowded when it's not usually crowded that time of year. It's just alright to me, the food is usually good. Very over priced, very small samples. We burned thru $100 at the last one very quickly.

 

[choirchic]

We've been doing the F&W Fest for the past 4-5 years and have always enjoyed it thoroughly. We also be sure not to schedule a TS for this day, as you certainly can eat your way around the world.

I've heard of Drinking Around the World...never thought of Eating Around the World!

 

[Tikitoi]

I've heard of Drinking Around the World...never thought of Eating Around the World!

Oh yea. It can be done.

 

[jennylyn_b]

I was very excited to find that our next trip to the World will fall smack in the middle of the Food and Wine Festival!
For those of you who've been to this...
I'd love to hear what you think of the festival, what are some of your favorites places to eat, and why you love this Festival so much...?

If it helps to know something about us, DH and I are 30somethings and we will be there with with DH's parents who are both 60somethings.
Thanks in advance!

First of all, HAVE FUN! We went to the 2009 F&W festival and loved it. We (myself, 29 at the time and DH, 40 at the time) went with my parents (mom in 50's and dad in his 60's). We booked a few of the culinary demonstrations and wine seminars. They are normally $8/person but we are DVC so we got them for $5/person. They are about 45 minutes long and you can a lesson on the food or wine and samples. I highly recommend them! We even attended a seminar on Chopin Vodka. YUMMY!

We liked going around the booths and trying something from each one. We spent 3 days of our trip at EP. For the first two we snacked for lunch and on the last day there we didnt make dinner ressies and just ate at all the booths! It was so much fun and nice to find new things to love.

It is crowded there especially on the weekends so if you can avoid Fridays and Saturdays you will be better off. If not, just prepare for long lines.

We loved this festival so much we are going back in 2010!

 

[BriarRosie]

I posted a food review of my Food and Wine Festival trip, linked as Gluttoberfest in my signature. All my reviews (with "food porn") are linked in my first post in that thread.

Starting late June or early July, you will probably find a dedicated thread here about festival discussions. You'll be sure to get the most up to date info when things are announced.

 

[PatsMom]

My husband and I had a great time at F&W Festival last fall. We spent two days wandering around, eating and drinking. We don't do the dining plan so we did burn through a bunch of money but we had budgeted for it. Portions are small but you still fill up. We tried to share some things so we could try more. The fisherman's pie from Ireland was my favorite!

They had special gift cards that were small and came on a wristband that made it even easier to spend your money! You didn't have to keep getting out your room key or cash from a pocket.

 

[TDC Nala]

Stay away from the World Showcase on Saturdays during the Festival if you can. I have never seen a bigger crowd at WS than Saturday, October 17, 2009. Not just for the booths, but for everyplace that sold food or drinks in WS. The line for the bar at La Cava went all the way around the Mexico pavilion. The line at the wine shop in Italy stretched into Germany. I'm not kidding. The only short line was at the Thailand booth.